The Baron Atramonte might have been one of the excellent of the earth--he might have been brave and loyal and just and true and tender, but his manner was one to which they were unaccustomed, and consequently Mrs.Willoughby was quite overcome.
The arrival of Girasole, therefore, was greeted by her with joy.

She at once rose to meet him, and could not help infusing into her greeting a warmth which she had never shown him before.

Girasole's handsome eyes sparkled with delight, and when Mrs.Willoughby pointedly made way for him to seat himself next to Minnie his cup of joy was full.

Mrs.Willoughby's only idea at that moment was to throw some obstacle between Minnie and that "dreadful person" who claimed her as his own, and had taken such shocking liberties.

She did not know that Girasole was in Rome, and now accepted his arrival at that opportune moment as something little less than providential.
And now, actuated still by the idea of throwing further obstacles between Minnie and the Baron, she herself went over to the latter, and began a series of polite remarks about the weather and about Rome; while Girasole, eager to avail himself of his unexpected privilege, conversed with Minnie in a low voice in his broken English.
This arrangement was certainly not very agreeable to the Baron.